Antibiotic resistance is a global issue that threatens the health and lives of everyone regardless of age, socioeconomic status or country. Misuse of antibiotics contributes to this growing problem. Practicing proper Antibiotic Stewardship to reduce inappropriate and misuse of antibiotics will help to reduce antibiotic resistance. The Virginia Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) Advisory Group identified the need for health care worker education for Antibiotic Stewardship. The Virginia HAI Advisory Group is a statewide multidisciplinary group that coordinates the efforts of the Commonwealth’s HAI stakeholders to align strategies, share information and resources and produce synergies that will accelerate progress in preventing HAIs. This advisory group is led by the Virginia Triad, which includes Health Quality Innovators (HQI), The Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA).

Offered below are three on-demand education modules to introduce nurses, pharmacists and practitioners to the basics of an appropriate Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP). After completing the module, you will be able to define and understand Antibiotic Stewardship and how it relates to your role in preventing the increase in antibiotic resistance. Each module contains links to resources, the recorded education and a posttest. Successful completion of the module and posttest will enable you to gain continuing education credits for your specific license if you are a nurse, pharmacist or practitioner.

Antibiotic Stewardship Basics for Nursing: 2.0 Contact Hours. VCU Health is approved as a provider of continuing nursing education by the Virginia Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Antibiotic Stewardship Basics for Pharmacy: VCU School of Pharmacy, Office of Continuing Education is on probation as an accredited provider of continuing pharmacy education by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Upon successful completion of the home study activity, including the posttest assessment with a passing grade of at least 80%, and submittal of an evaluation form, participants will receive 2.0 contact hours (0.2 CEUs)

Antibiotic Stewardship Basics for Practitioners: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of VCU Health Continuing Medical Education and Virginia HAI Advisory Group. VCU Health Continuing Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. VCU Health Continuing Medical Education designates this internet activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

For those individuals who require closed captioning or audio transcription, please use the links below to view the presentations in YouTube. Once you are finished watching the education module you will need to navigate to On24 to register for the event and to access the resources and posttest. A certificate can only be received once the posttest has been taken on On24. Please use the two green icons at the bottom of the On24 console to access the resources and posttest.